Arctic Blast Hits the City Beautiful: Record-Breaking Cold Grips Orlando

A Historic Chill Settles Over Orlando

Sunday, February 1, 2026, marks one of the coldest days in Central Florida’s recorded history as a powerful arctic airmass sweeps through the region. For residents and visitors alike, today’s weather is a startling departure from the typical Florida sunshine. The National Weather Service has issued a series of rare and critical alerts, including an Extreme Cold Warning and a Freeze Warning, as temperatures plummet well below seasonal norms.

Morning: Dangerous Wind Chills and Record Lows

The early morning hours represent the peak of this weather event. Temperatures across the Orlando area have bottomed out in the mid-to-low 20s, with official reports from Orlando Executive Airport recording a low of 25°F. However, the air temperature is only part of the story; gusty northwest winds are creating dangerous wind chill values ranging from 9 to 15 degrees. This represents the coldest conditions the region has faced since 2010, prompting officials to warn of potential frostbite and hypothermia for those not properly dressed.

• Extreme Cold Warning: In effect through 10:00 AM as life-threatening cold settles in.
• Freeze Warning: Hard freeze conditions are expected to persist through 1:00 PM.
• Wind Advisory: Strong gusts up to 28 mph will continue to drive down temperatures through the early morning.

Afternoon: Sunny but Frigid

Despite the presence of clear, sunny skies, the afternoon will offer very little warmth. The projected high temperature is expected to reach only 45°F to 46°F, which is nearly 25 degrees below the average for early February. Persistent west-northwest winds will ensure that the "feels like" temperature remains in the 30s throughout the day. Those planning to visit local theme parks are strongly advised to wear heavy winter coats, gloves, and thermal layers, as the sun will provide a deceptive appearance of warmth that the air does not support.

Evening and Overnight Forecast

As the sun sets at approximately 6:05 PM, the cold will tighten its grip once again. The evening is forecast to be clear and calm, allowing for rapid radiational cooling. Temperatures are expected to drop back down to a low of 27°F by early Monday morning. Because these freezing temperatures are expected to last for several hours, the threat of a hard freeze remains high for a second consecutive night.

Safety Precautions for Residents

With record-breaking cold established across the city, the following safety measures are essential:

• Protect Pets and Plants: Bring all pets indoors and cover or move sensitive tropical vegetation.
• Check on Neighbors: Ensure that the elderly and those without adequate heating have a safe way to stay warm.
• Pipe Safety: To prevent plumbing disasters, allow indoor faucets to drip slowly to keep water moving and prevent pipes from freezing.